Eight young Dartmoor ponies that were rescued from certain death at the last minute are looking for urgent help them live happy new lives.

The Lizard’s Bolenowe Animal Sanctuary stepped in to save the foals from being shot after being alerted by another horse charity.

A spokesman for Bolenowe said: “We had a message that five young Dartmoor foals had been removed from the moor and parted from the mares in the annual drift and that they were due to be shot unless someone was found to take them.

“We couldn’t let that happen, so agreed to take them - but when the trailers arrived at our sanctuary we were shocked to find out that there weren't just five, but eight.

“And seven of them turned out to be boys, which means huge extra costs in vets’ fees for gelding, plus the normal micro-chipping, vaccinations, passporting, feed and care costs.

"They are all absolutely beautiful and we are all very glad that they are now safe with us but it obviously means far greater expense than we had expected.”

A Dartmoor pony named Hoggle, rescued by Bolenowe Animal Sanctuary

He said the oldest pony was only five months old and the others were far younger. The ponies have been named Pumpkin, Casper, Hoggle, Trixie, Treat and Punch with the final two names, Bobby and Boo, chosen by Bolenowe supporters.

He added: “Foals normally stay with their mothers for at least six months but, sadly, this seems to happen every year on the moor.

“So all in all, the little ponies desperately need help from the public. As a small, remotely-based charity we really do need all the support we can get.”

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He said all the foals, currently in quarantine for precautionary health reasons, have settled in and are doing very well and will be eventually available to go out to suitable homes on Bolenowe’s successful lifetime loan scheme.

Anyone who can help with a donation or by rehoming a pony, can contact Bolenowe Animal Sanctuary either at admin@bolenowe.co.uk, by phone on 01326 291272 or on Facebook.